Michigan gubernatorial candidates release tax returns

Posted by MNA Staff on March 13th, 2018

By DAVID EGGERTAssociated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Three more Michigan gubernatorial candidates have voluntarily released portions of their tax returns, saying the public deserves to know the information even though the state doesn’t require candidates to disclose it.

Dr. Jim Hines and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, both Republicans, and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed released information from their 2016 returns on Monday and Tuesday. Two other contenders, Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette and former Democratic legislative leader Gretchen Whitmer, disclosed details from their 2016 returns last year.

Candidates are still working to file their 2017 returns and are expected to release them later.

Hines, who has given his largely self-funded campaign more than $670,000, and his wife Martha reported nearly $458,000 in income, roughly $21,000 in charitable donations and paying $114,000 in federal taxes. They had real estate valued at between $2.5 and $3 million, and other assets worth between $9 and $10 million, including shares in a surgical center and a flying club, investments and bank savings.

He listed a residence and rental property in Saginaw County, two vacation homes and vacant land in Roscommon County, and a property apparently affiliated with his medical practice, Valley OB-Gyn.

Calley, who makes about $110,000 a year as lieutenant governor, reported roughly $104,000 in income. It was the year before his wife, Julie, began serving as a state legislator in a job that pays nearly $72,000.

The Calleys made $9,135 in charitable gifts and paid $5,536 in federal taxes. His campaign also released asset disclosure forms it said are required for federal candidates.

They reported a home worth between $100,000 and $250,000, a 401(k) with $250,000 to $500,000 and an individual retirement account (IRA) with between $100,000 and $250,000. They also listed up to $15,000 in investments and up to $15,000 in savings/checking accounts.

El-Sayed, a doctor and former Detroit health director, and his wife Sarah Jukaku reported $237,000 in income and paying nearly $45,000 in federal taxes. They made about $1,700 in charitable donations.

Shri Thanedar, a self-funded Democratic candidate who has given his campaign nearly $6 million, said he intends to release his financial information “sometime soon.” He said making it public now is “slightly premature.”

Another candidate, Republican state Sen. Patrick Colbeck, said he so far has declined to release his tax return.